IHSA introduces esports State Series
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (BVM) — Over the last few years, esports has continued to rise in numbers at the high school level. As of early 2020, nearly 20 states were offering esports teams. With many colleges and universities around the country also offering esports teams and scholarships to join them, it is no surprise that more and more high schools have implemented the activity.
The most recent to do so is the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). After a board of directors meeting on Monday, it was announced that the IHSA will be implementing a new esports State Series to be held in April of 2022.
With the new addition, esports has officially become the 10th activity offered by the IHSA, now joining the likes of bass fishing, chess, speech, journalism, music and scholastic bowl among others.
“It is exciting any time that we can expand the IHSA mission by offering another opportunity for students to represent their schools in competition,” IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said after the announcement. “We appreciate the time and effort put forth by our staff and the committee members who helped get us to this point.”
The State Series is set to be held during weeks 42 and 43 of the IHSA calendar, which lands from April 17 to April 30 next spring. A venue for the tournament is yet to be decided.
Additionally, the inaugural series will feature three different games, or titles: NBA2K, Rocket League and Super Smash Brothers.
Although some may still be surprised to see esports emerge in the fashion they are, the activity — similar to many of the other IHSA activities offered — gives students another opportunity to be successful.
“Not unlike when the IHSA added bass fishing, some may question how esports fits into the IHSA’s offerings, but we never wavered in our belief that we want to align the Association with the interests of our high school students,” Anderson continued. “Research shows that there are educational, mental and social benefits to having students compete for their high school in any activity or sport, so we look forward to Illinois high school students who are passionate about esports being able to enjoy those benefits.”
